A Contemplation Upon flowers

Title: The word 'contemplate' means to study or observe, to muse and reflect on a given subject. The title at once makes the reader think the poem is about someone's observation of flowers and their role in nature. It does not become immediately clear that the poem offers a fresh or different approach to looking at flowers. Thats the first part in the book. Speaker: The speaker is observant, candid and reflective. He is unabashed in expressing his feelings and desires to be like flowers. He grapples with his morality as he looks to flowers to show him how he should approach living and disregard his fear of death. He engages in internal

dialogue as he reflects on the life cycle of flowers

Mood: The speaker addresses the flowers directly, reminding one of an ode. The mood in the poem is serious, even solemn, yet there is an undercurrent of exaggerated exuberance. Tone: The speaker's tone is optimistic, reflective, thoughtful, accepting and humble. The poem has a conversational tone. The speaker observes and works out his feelings as he contemplates. The tone changes in all of the stanzas. In the first stanza, the speaker displays a great deal of admiration and praise for flowers. In the second stanza he is reflective and in the third stanza he is accepting and optimistic in his acceptance. Diction: The poem takes on the form of an apostrophe or an ode. The language is

lofty, poetic, dignified, deferential and intelligent. Theme: The acceptance of death, the cyclical nature of life and looking to nature for instruction on how to live are major themes in the poem. Content: The first two words in stanza one depict flowers in a new and unconventional light. The flowers are personified as courageous, but humble. They are daring, yet reserved, The speaker wishes he could be like them. The phrase 'bed of earth" refers to a garden bed where flowers are grown, as well as to the extended metaphor of the final resting place: a grave. In line 5, the speaker commends flowers by contrasting their characteristics with those of humans. Flowers are of low estate, and unlike humans, have no aspirations to be recognized for their ability or talents. They remain literally and figuratively "down-to-earth".

The metaphor in line 6 conveys a delightful image. The vivid colours of an assortment of flowers are realized by comparing them to embroidered clothing.
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In the second stanza, the speaker praises the flowers for accepting life as it comes, without being partial to any specific season or aspect of time. The speaker candidly admits his fear of death and his refusal to think of the harsh aspects of life. Here it is affirmed that the phrase "bed of earth' refers to a grave. The speaker wishes he could accept the inevitability of death and face life without worrying. To this end he asks for instruction on how to be accepting and not fearful of death. He wants to stop fighting the fact that he will die. Line 14 expresses his desire to call for a cessation of hostility with death. In lines 15 and 16, he reflects on his observation of flowers at a funeral. Even at the time of death, resting on a coffin,

flowers are at their best and actively involved. They know death is not the end; it is a mere transition to a new life. In the last two lines of the poem, the speaker beseeches the flowers to give him some important instruction. He realizes that death should be regarded as something to embrace and not to fight. The speaker's final request of the flowers is a quality he now possesses. He has the awareness that the acceptance of death will determine his quality of life. He will now be able to live a fuller life once he emulates the flowers' example. Flowers know that death should not be shunned. It is a natural part of life.The life of flowers is a metaphor of the cyclic aspect of all creation, especially human life. This is what the speaker has learned from his observations.